FORMER Zimbabwe captain Peter Ndlovu appeared in court on Wednesday on a culpable homicide charge over a December 16 accident which killed his brother, Adam, and a female friend.

The 39-year-old was remanded out of custody to March 20 on free bail by magistrate Archibald Dingani.

Prosecutors said Ndlovu’s Harare-based lawyer Advocate Harrison Nkomo had written to them advising that he would not be attending Wednesday’s hearing, and that they intended to enter a ‘not guilty’ plea for the former Coventry City winger.

Namatai Ngwasha, who will lead the state case against Ndlovu, said the Under 23 national football team coach will be formerly charged and asked to enter a plea at the next hearing.

Prosecutors say an accident scene investigation has shown that Ndlovu was driving way faster than the 120km speed limit before losing control of his BMW X5 at a curve while approaching the Victoria Falls Airport.

His 42-year-old brother, Adam – Zimbabwe’s all-time leading goal scorer – and female associate Nomqhele Tshili, 24, died in the horrific crash which plunged a nation into mourning.

Peter survived the accident with serious head and leg injuries. He was hospitalised for 13 days – although he was allowed to attend Adam’s burial on December 22 with the aid of a wheelchair.

Peter and Adam – whose elder brother Madinda also played for Zimbabwe – were driving to Victoria Falls shortly after 1AM when Ndlovu lost control of his motor which uprooted several trees before coming to a stop.

The two, who began their careers at Highlanders, were due to play for the Highlanders Legends in a social soccer match at Chinotimba Stadium later that afternoon.

The Zimbabwe Football Association retired Adam’s Number 13 jersey in his honour and thousands of people attended his burial in Bulawayo.